Injured/Sick Guinea will not walk and missing feathers

[GuineaFriend]

We have two 4 month old Guinea fowl (female). One of them injured her leg about three weeks ago but had been making a recovery with rest and epsom salt baths. She had begun hobbling around the yard again and seemed to be improving well. Three days ago, she once again was unable to walk. There were a lot of feathers in one spot and she seems to be missing feathers from her back tail. When she does try to walk, she flies a bit and will only put weight on one leg. We lifted her, however, and we don't see any obvious injury of the legs. The other guinea is fine. What could this be?

 

[GuineaFriend]

Here is a photo. It is the far/back leg that she will not put weight on.

 

[R2elk]

Here is a photo. It is the far/back leg that she will not put weight on.

The injury is most likely in the hip area. The "There were a lot of feathers in one spot and she seems to be missing feathers from her back tail." is most likely due to a predator attack.

 

[GuineaFriend]

The injury is most likely in the hip area. The "There were a lot of feathers in one spot and she seems to be missing feathers from her back tail." is most likely due to a predator attack.

Thanks for the quick reply! We have put her into a coop with food and water. I assume not much else to be done?

 

[R2elk]

Thanks for the quick reply! We have put her into a coop with food and water. I assume not much else to be done?

That is about all you can do if you can't find the actual injury.

 

[tranquiliti]

One of my 11-mo guinea pullets from 2023 was mauled by a coyote in early July. She was missing a lot of feathers afterward, preferring to sleep on the coop floor rather than perch as usual.
I was very concerned she wouldn’t make it, but not only has she pulled through and grown back many of her feathers, she is now walking/flying/roosting again under the close watch of her 3 suitors (her mate “Lav,” her stalker/rapist “Close3,” and her vigilant guard “Fuzz”).
Maybe with supportive care yours will also pull through?

 

[GuineaFriend]

Is there any chance this could be bird flu? It has been in this state since Wednesday morning.

 

[R2elk]

Is there any chance this could be bird flu? It has been in this state since Wednesday morning.

I doubt it.